With a sword in hand, Cang Juezi's demeanor changed instantly.
All his previous flattery towards Ying Chen vanished, replaced by mockery and arrogance.
"You actually believed there was a thousand-year-old herb? You actually think I'm stupid enough not to find one?"
"Let me tell you: it was all fake! Including my surrender to you from the beginning!"
"My ultimate goal was to make you lower your guard, so I could summon this Xuan Pin Lie Que Sword and take your head!"
Cang Juezi laughed triumphantly.
Ying Chen, however, looked at him and said seriously, "You are indeed quite stupid. Because there really is a thousand-year-old herb."
After speaking, Ying Chen flicked his finger.
Instantly, a withered-looking medicinal herb flew into Ying Chen's hand.
"This is that thousand-year-old herb."
"What?" Cang Juezi and the many elders outside the treasure vault were stunned.
They then burst into laughter.
"This thing is called a thousand-year-old herb? Have you ever seen what a real great herb looks like?"
"This is clearly just common weed used as a sanitary pad! Are you crazy, calling this a thousand-year-old herb?"
Facing the taunts and ridicule from the Shen Nong Sect members.
Ying Chen did not explain.
He merely moved his finger slightly, and a flame leaped from his fingertip.
As the flame approached, the herb, which all the Shen Nong Sect members considered weeds, suddenly began to emit a unique fragrance!
When a leaf of the herb was ignited, the exotic scent exploded, filling the entire treasure vault.
The aroma seemed to bypass the nose entirely, directly entering the soul!
Instantly, everyone present felt their spirits invigorated, as if their souls had been sublimated!
"How is this possible?"
Cang Juezi and all the Shen Nong Sect elders were shocked.
*Chilala!*
Ying Chen extinguished the burning medicinal leaf and put the herb into his robes.
"This medicine is called the Soul Purifying Grass. Unlike other herbs that grow larger, it grows in reverse. When it's born, it can grow as tall as a towering tree. After a hundred years, it becomes a small tree, and after five hundred years, it's the height of a shrub. By a thousand years, its essence is fully condensed, finally appearing in this weedy form."
"The fragrance of the Soul Purifying Grass when ignited can resonate with a human's soul and thoughts, increasing the speed of soul cultivation. Even in our era, this was considered a rare item."
"Since you all say this is a weed, I'll reluctantly take it with me!"
Hearing Ying Chen's words, both Cang Juezi and the elders' faces turned ashen and full of regret.
If not for the wondrous experience from the depths of their souls just now, they might have instinctively thought Ying Chen was bragging.
But with that experience, they believed every word Ying Chen said!
They were truly as foolish as pigs, not knowing that such a precious medicine was stored in their treasure vault!
Even if they didn't use it themselves, selling it would fetch an astronomical price!
Consider this: a small piece of agarwood used for calming the soul, the size of a fingernail cap, could sell for millions of dollars.
The effect of the Soul Purifying Grass was thousands, even tens of thousands, of times stronger than that of calming agarwood!
Selling it for tens of millions was not unusual!
"However, it's fine..."
Cang Juezi exchanged glances with the elders outside. They had the same idea.
"Now is the time!" the Great Elder suddenly roared.
Cang Juezi, without hesitation, unleashed a blinding radiance from the Xuan Pin Lie Que Sword in his hand and slashed it at Ying Chen from mid-air!
The plan previously proposed by the Great Elder was to deliberately lure Ying Chen with the spiritual herbs in the treasure vault, distracting him.
Then, Cang Juezi would summon the Xuan Pin Lie Que Sword and kill him when he was caught off guard!
At this moment, the timing and positioning were all in their favor.
Not striking Ying Chen would be a waste of such a great opportunity given by the heavens!
However, after unleashing his sword strike, Cang Juezi saw Ying Chen looking at him with a half-smile.
His heart immediately sank, and a sense of foreboding washed over him.
Could it be... Ying Chen had seen through the plan long ago?
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Cang Juezi forcefully pushed the thought out of his mind, and his sword light became even more ferocious and powerful.
It was like a waterfall cascading from the nine heavens, with the roar of thunder, engulfing Ying Chen!
This was the power of a mid-to-high-grade artifact!
With this artifact in hand, Cang Juezi's combat power directly increased by one realm!
Reaching the eighth stage of Sorcery!
Cang Juezi didn't believe Ying Chen wouldn't die this time!
"This is a bit interesting now." Ying Chen looked at the surging sword light and commented.
Then, Ying Chen gently extended two fingers.
*Swish!*
Silence fell, and the brilliance vanished.
The sword light that had clearly reached Ying Chen's head disappeared, and the pervasive killing intent and sword intent were nowhere to be seen.
Only the image of Ying Chen holding the Xuan Pin Lie Que Sword between his two fingers remained, profoundly impacting everyone present!
"How is this possible!"
Seeing this scene, Cang Juezi completely broke down.
He obtained the Xuan Pin Lie Que Sword, his combat realm even increased by one level, yet he couldn't even inflict a scratch on Ying Chen?
Most importantly, the newly forged Xuan Pin Lie Que Sword should have been unstoppable, capable of killing gods and ghosts, yet it was like a toy sword, held captive by Ying Chen with just two fingers!
How could this possibly be the demeanor of a mid-to-high-grade artifact?
Where was the power of a mid-to-high-grade artifact?
The elders outside the treasure vault were also stunned.
Then their hearts turned to ash.
Their last hope of turning things around had been ruthlessly crushed by Ying Chen!
This meant they had no choice but to truly surrender to Ying Chen like servants!
Only the Great Elder showed no signs of despair. Instead, a cunning glint flashed in his eyes.
"Sect Master, do not panic. I will lend you a hand!"
The Great Elder shouted.
Just as everyone thought the Great Elder was about to charge into the treasure vault and fight Ying Chen to the death, they saw the Great Elder suddenly activate the mechanism of the treasure vault door.
With a resounding boom.
The Dragon-Slaying Stone of the treasure vault door was activated, and a massive stone weighing ten thousand catties fell, completely sealing the treasure vault door!
"Hahahaha..."
The Great Elder laughed heartily.
"Cang Juezi, Cang Juezi, you would never have imagined that the true purpose of my plan was—a mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!"
"You were the mantis stalking the cicada, and I am the oriole!"
"Whether you can kill this guy or not, I will activate the Dragon-Slaying Stone and seal you inside forever! Never to escape!"
"Does the position of Sect Master belong to someone with the surname you? You can have it, and so can I!"
"You two enjoy your chat inside! When I'm done being Sect Master, I'll open the door and collect your corpses."
After speaking, the Great Elder looked at the other elders.
Killing intent surged within him.
"The former Sect Master Cang Juezi sacrificed himself to protect the sect and perish together with the demonic individual. I will succeed him as the new Sect Master. Do any of you have objections?"
Feeling the intense killing intent from the Great Elder, even if the other elders had objections, they dared not voice them!
Moreover, this sudden turn of events had completely bewildered them; their minds were still buzzing.
So, they all subconsciously shook their heads: "No objections, no objections."
"Very well, from this day forth, I am the Sect Master of the Shen Nong Sect!"
"You all shall be my right and left hands!"
"Anyone who disobeys will be killed without mercy!"